The MMPI profile of prisoners of war

Posttraumatic stress disorder and posttraumatic growth among Israeli ex-pows

In this article, the authors present a prospective study that dealt with pathological (posttraumatic stress disorder; PTSD) and salutary (posttraumatic growth; PTG) outcomes of captivity and the correlates of those outcomes among a sample of ex-prisoners of war (POWs) and a control group of combat veterans. Posttraumatic stress disorder and its correlates were assessed in 1991 and 2003, and PTG was assessed in 2003. The results indicate that ex-POWs exhibited higher levels of PTSD and PTG than did the controls. In addition, both linear and quadratic associations between PTSD and PTG were found. The authors discuss some unresolved issues related to assessment of PTG and salutary outcomes, and outline directions for future research.

Posttraumatic stress disorder part I: historical development of the concept

TOPIC

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a significant health problem, characterized by high rates of chronicity and comorbidity.

PURPOSE

This is the first of three articles examining the sufficiency of the current PTSD construct to articulate the spectrum of human responses to trauma, in particular as it relates to women and interpersonal trauma. This paper reviews the conceptual history of PTSD from the nineteenth century up to its inclusion in the DSM-III (American Psychiatric Association, 1980).

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Existing bodies of theoretical and research literature related to the effects of trauma.

CONCLUSION

Although there is strong evidence that gender plays a role in responses to stress and trauma, gender specificity is not well-incorporated into clinical services or research in the area of PTSD.

Validation of PTSD measures for older combat veterans

This study evaluated three nosologically similar older groups (Older PTSD, POW, and Older Psychiatric) and a group of Younger PTSD veterans from Vietnam. Group membership was derived from index admission diagnoses and clinical validation of status. Groups were compared on the MMPI, PTSD measures, background variables, health measures and an outcome measure. Results showed that the Older PTSD group is closer to the Younger PTSD group than to the other groups on the MMPI and PTSD measures and also that members of this group remain in the hospital longer than do members of the other older groups. Parameters of effective test classification showed the PTSD measures to be helpful in correct identification of this disorder for the older groups.

MMPI profiles of veterans of WWII and Korea: comparisons of former POWs and combat survivors

MMPI profile patterns were compared between combat veteran groups of 168 POW survivors and 67 servicemen who were not war captives in WWII and the Korean Conflict. Results confirm previous reports that the scales, Hypochondriasis (Hs), Depression (D), and Hysteria (Hy), are characteristically elevated among former POWs. Findings also point to the contribution of scales, Psychasthenia (Pt), Paranoia (Pa), and Ego Strength (Es), in differentiating groups, suggesting that negative ruminations, heightened anxiety, interpersonal anger and suspiciousness, and low self-esteem contribute significantly to group differentiation.